A very vibrant and active School Council structure operates within the college. This is led by an elected Head Girl and Head Boy who are well-supported by an academic, arts and sports captains, house leaders, Komiti Māori, Komiti Pasifika and International student representatives and the student representative on the Board of Trustees.
Supporting the Executive is the School Council that has representatives from all year levels.
These groups meet on a regular basis to facilitate all student related activities from the extensive inter-house arts and sports competitions, school dances, and senior ball through to community based projects.
The voice of students is a priority of the School Council and they work closely with staff to ensure that events, projects and activities are incorporated into the daily life of the school.
The Holy ‘19 Exec Goal Trinity:
These are our three paramount and over-arching focuses for the year; the impact we’d like to create/the legacy we’d like to leave behind.
1: Participation/Contribution
Summary:
We believe students that are ‘minimal’ and choosing to ‘cruise’ are at risk of limiting their learning potential and holistic experience at school.
As members of the school’s student executive, we aim to re-cultivate student’s ‘participation and contribution spirit’ by actively encouraging them to strive beyond their comfort zones; to engage in a diverse range of events, extra-curricular and activities that Newlands College has to offer.
Taking risks; regarding how one gives back to the school, is demonstrative of ‘Matauranga’, an aspect of Newlands College’s Vision for Learning. By being innovative and inquisitive around how we involve ourselves in the opportunities on offer, students are enabled a greater potential to enhance their school life.
2: Embracing/Celebrating Cultural Diversity
Summary:
The student body consists of a unique variety of individuals, each with a distinctive ethnic background.
We believe it is important to not only acknowledge and cherish the cultural diversity among us students but to be proactive and genuine in celebrating the cultural diversity of Newlands College.
We foresee this to include encouraging one another’s exploration in, and integration of, other cultures, of which may differ from our own.
Encouraging ‘Whānaungatanga’, another Newlands College learning value; in this way, is essential in forming a safe learning environment for all students and staff.
3: Communicating and consistently promoting school events
Summary:
A goal we find critical; preliminary to others, is establishing and maintaining concrete communication between the student body, staff and student council executive.
We believe direct and clear communication of upcoming activities and events is a cornerstone when regarding increasing students’ involvement, engagement across different fields, and student-to-student support.
A crucial aspect of ‘Me Whakamatau’ is an honest and effective dissemination of information between the bodies of the school. Working collaboratively in this way enables us to strive towards greater achievement, as well as to more effectively support one another.